The five most beautiful counties in the United States, based on natural amenities such as topography, lakes and rivers, and climate, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture:
1. Humboldt, California
2. Mendocino, California
3. Del Norte, California
4. Lake, Colorado
5. Calaveras, California
The five least desirable counties, based on amenity deprivation:
1. Red Lake, Minnesota
2. Wilkin, Minnesota
3. Norman, Minnesota
4. Mower, Minnesota
5. Pembina, North Dakota
–Source: American Demographics (Nov. 1999)
